Financing Your Studies
There are several possibilities to receive support for financing a course of study. We’ve summarized the most important options and information for you here.
As the options depend on your individual situation, it’s always worth it to request general advice from the Studierendenwerk on financing your studies.
We advise you on the topic of scholarships at the Central Academic Advising Office at the Service Center Studium.
For an overview of the costs of a course of study, we recommend taking the University Studies OSA.
Scholarships
Scholarships are an attractive but limited option for financing your studies. They are awarded by organizations for the promotion of young talent and foundations and have the advantage that they do not have to be repaid.
The scholarship landscape in Germany is multifaceted. Inform yourself in our clearly arranged Scholarship Information Tool. The Central Academic Advising Office supports you in searching for suitable scholarships and applying for them.
With the Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship), the University Freiburg provides, e.g., students with 300 euros in funding – half of it from the federal government and the other half from private donors. Click on the following link to find all relevant information and contact persons for the Deutschlandstipendium at the University of Freiburg.
Do you have any further questions? Or would you like to talk through your application documents or prepare for a selection interview? Then feel free to request an appointment for scholarship advising!
Please take note of the following if you wish to request an appointment:
- As a rule, you will receive an appointment within three weeks. If you have a deadline, it is wise to request one in good time.
- Please go through the tool at least up to the profile (see point 2 – ‘My profile’) before requesting an appointment.
- Please indicate the matter you wish to discuss when requesting an appointment:
- orientation advising (please bring completed profile)
- application document check (please bring relevant documents)
- preparation for selection interview (as soon as you receive an invitation for one from a funding organization)
Our scholarship advising is available to all prospective and current University of Freiburg students looking for a scholarship for their studies at the University of Freiburg.
Scholarships for International Students
The University of Freiburg does not offer any scholarships specifically for international students (e.g., for tuition). Under certain circumstances, you are not required to pay tuition – click here for more information.
The options for receiving a scholarship in Germany are limited for students from non-EU member countries in particular, and so are our possibilities for advising you on this issue. Moreover, very good German skills are often an important prerequisite (at least B2). We recommend seeking advice in your home country or searching on the scholarship database of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Here are several possibilities to consider:
Child Maintenance
In Germany, parents are legally obliged to provide maintenance to their children until they complete their first professional qualification. The amount of maintenance is calculated according to the so-called Düsseldorf table [de].
If the parents do not pay any maintenance and the training is jeopardized as a result, the child may file an application for advance payment with the responsible educational assistance office (BAföG-Amt). This is possible at the local Studierendenwerk.
More information on the website of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk.
BAföG (German Federal Training Assistance Act)
The amount of state federal training assistance students are eligible to receive is individual and depends on their assets and income as well as those of their parents or spouse/partner. Only half of the entire amount of assistance must be repaid, up to a maximum of approximately €10,000.
Click here for more information from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research:
The BAföG advice service offered by the Studierendenwerk provides you comprehensive advice on the conditions. Even if you suspect that you are not eligible for BAföG, it is worthwhile to seek advice – preferably as early on as possible, so that you do not miss any deadlines.
Student Loans
Educational loans from the German federal government and student loans from the KfW bank are favourable loans for students without collateral securities and are granted independent of income. The Studierendenwerk Freiburg provides advising on this option.
Part-Time Jobs
Working a part-time job can be a helpful way to finance your studies. Students are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week. It is important to take into account possible income limits stipulated by your family health insurance.
The University of Freiburg also advertises positions for student assistants.
Child Benefits
Students receive child benefits until they reach the age of 25. Find out more at your child benefit office.
Emergency Aid
Various forms of emergency aid are available to students experiencing social hardship through no fault of their own:
The Friends of the University Association provides forms of emergency aid: